9-28-23 to 11-7-2014
Jane Yvonne (Knudsen) Martin
After a long fulfilling life, Jane Martin died peacefully at the age of 91 on the morning of November 7, 2014.
She was born in Oakland, California and prided herself as being a third generation native Californian. She spent many years of her young adult life in San Jose where she graduated from San Jose State University with a teaching degree and met her husband, James Martin. Together, in the San Jose area, Santa Maria and Salinas they raised two sons and three daughters.
Jane taught elementary school for many years and was involved with several ladies groups and organizations including Kappa Kappa Gamma, Minerva Club, P.E.O., as well as various P.T.A.’s and bridge clubs (though she was admittedly “not very good at the game”). She and Jim loved to golf and when retired, they enjoyed traveling about the U.S. to try their luck at different courses (though she was admittedly “not very good at the game”). Jane was a lady. She would see beauty in a leaf, twig or stone, often bringing the bit home and arranging it artfully for visitors to appreciate. The natural progression of this attraction was that while in her 50’s she began to explore the art of watercolor painting, acrylics and then lovely nature-themed collages. She also dabbled in oils (though she was admittedly “not very good at it”).
Following her husband’s death in 1999, her desire to live closer to her grandchildren was realized and within a few years she moved to Sequim, Washington. There she spent 11 years waiting for the Mariners to win the World Series (admittedly they “weren’t very good at the game”) while surrounded by views of the Olympic Mountains, cherry blossoms and those who loved and cared for her.
She is survived by her five children; Joanna Martin, Peter Martin, Susan Elder, Erin Huff and James Martin; daughter-in-law Michelle Martin and sons-in-law Eric Elder and Harold Huff. Jane is also survived by seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and extended family member Adrienne Williamson. A long life well lived and this writer thinks, Jane, you were very good at the game!
A small service will be held at Sequim Community Church, November 29 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Faith Foundation of Sequim Community Church or to Peninsula Friends of Animals.